Need an online account?

Not a subscriber?

Building board decision
reached for demolition

Posted
Wednesday, August 16, 2017 10:29 am

Catalan showed up for the meeting late, and joined in the discussion. After lengthy comments, which included Turner, Bishop, Brewer, Catalan, and a handful of board members, Brewer decided to withdraw his appeal.”

By LARRY C. BOWERS
Staff Writer

A special called meeting of Cleveland’s Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals was held Tuesday at noon, but a quorum was not present.

Despite this fact, a concerted effort by Chief Building Official Bryan Turner, building inspector Tina Bishop, and a Cleveland property owner reached a solution for an appeal to a demolition order.

City inspectors had ruled that a fire-damage structure at 722 Poplar St. S.E. was too severely damaged to be repaired, and had filed the demolition order.

Owner Jeff Brewer had filed an appeal of that order, and was the focus for Tuesday’s called meeting.

Brewer has entered into a purchase agreement with Ildercina Catalan for the property in question. Catalan had been talking with city officials and Brewer, but has mixed feelings about her ability to repair the damaged home. She reportedly has continued to change her mind.

It was pointed out to Brewer that he remains the property owner, and it is his decision whether or not to appeal the city’s decision.

Brewer said he filed the appeal to prove to Catalan that he was on her side, and he was asking for an additional 60 days to see if she could somehow repair the home. He said at the end of that time, if she was unable to make progress, he would take the property back and have the structure demolished.

Bishop said city officials base their decision on assessed value of the property, and if they do not feel it can be repair for one-half the value — it is normally targeted for removal.

Brewer said he didn’t want Catalan to think that he was just taking her money, and he still wants her to be able to purchase the property. She has said she would like to place a mobile home on the lot.

Bishop said codes enforcement has a more recent problem at the location, because the property has not been maintained and mowed.

Catalan showed up for the meeting late, and joined in the discussion. After lengthy comments, which included Turner, Bishop, Brewer, Catalan, and a handful of board members, Brewer decided to withdraw his appeal.

He and Catalan will allow the city to do the demolition, and they will be assessed for the work. They will continue their agreement on Catalan’s purchase of the property, without the damaged structure.